In a move that highlights government waste and the potential for smarter spending, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has ended a contract that was costing taxpayers roughly $380,000 per month for basic website updates.
Now, the same work is being handled in-house by a single VA software engineer, working just 10 hours a week—and the agency is saving millions.
Only a gov’t employee spending your money would sign a contract for $380k a MONTH to make website changes!
Thanks to @DOGE the changes that were being made by the contractor are now being done internally by a software engineer, in about 10 hours a weekhttps://t.co/aHRHkWvVAL— Mary Walter (@MaryWalterRadio) April 3, 2025
Simple Fix, Big Savings
The VA had been paying a private contractor nearly $4.5 million per year for small website modifications. These weren’t major upgrades or overhauls—just minor changes and updates.
After reviewing the cost, the VA decided to cancel the contract and bring the work in-house. A single employee now handles the updates as part of his weekly duties.
The result?
The job is still getting done—and taxpayers are saving hundreds of thousands of dollars every month.
This kind of common-sense decision is rare in Washington, where agencies often rely on expensive outside contracts for tasks that could easily be handled by government staff.
Part of a Bigger Push for Efficiency
The canceled website contract is just one of many under review by a new federal office focused on streamlining government operations.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has been working to root out unnecessary spending across several agencies.
According to DOGE, a recent review led to the termination of 80 wasteful contracts worth $203.6 million, resulting in $139.1 million in savings.
“We want to reduce spending by eliminating waste and fraud and reduce the spending by 15%, which seems really quite achievable,” Musk told “Special Report” host Bret Baier on Fox News.
Why America Is Applauding
For conservatives, this is a clear example of the benefits of limited government and fiscal responsibility.
Instead of throwing more money at a problem, the VA simply looked at what it was spending, found a better way, and made a change.
It’s a reminder that big government isn’t always better government.
Every dollar saved here is a dollar that could go toward real services for veterans—or back in the pockets of taxpayers.
And it’s not just about money. It’s about accountability.
When government agencies are allowed to spend freely without oversight, costs balloon and results often suffer.
This move shows what can happen when leaders focus on efficiency and put taxpayers first.
What Critics Say
Not everyone is cheering the changes.
Some critics argue that eliminating outside contracts could lead to job losses in the private sector.
Others worry that in-house staff may not always have the same specialized skills that contractors offer.
In a few cases, watchdogs warn that cutting corners could reduce the quality of services provided to veterans.
But supporters say that’s missing the point.
The VA isn’t sacrificing service—it’s simply cutting out the middleman and doing the same work in a smarter way.
A Model for Other Agencies?
This story raises a bigger question: If one agency can save millions by reviewing just one contract, how much more could be saved across the federal government?
The federal budget is filled with line items that often go unchecked.
With more agencies willing to scrutinize contracts and take a common-sense approach, the savings could be significant.
For taxpayers who are tired of hearing about wasteful spending, this is a rare piece of good news—and a sign that reform is possible.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
